Game



G. B. BOSCO GAME Oct- 12 1926. 1,602,639

Filed Jan. 12, 1926 J 4 a i jg 176 Z Z505 C0 Patented Oct. 12,1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGF B. 30800, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GAME.

Application filed January 12, 1926. Serial No. 80,749.

This invention relatesto games, toys and the like, and more particularly to means for Y following largely the principles and ideas involved in football; and to provide such a game depending upon mental skill rather than chance.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan of a board, table or the like somewhat resembling a checker-board, with two football elevens lined up thereon ready for play.

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1, except that an intermediate stage of the game is represented instead of the initial stage, the

men being shown in various playing po-' sitions.

, Fig. 3 is a perspective View, of one of the two ball-carrying men.- a

. Fig. 4 is similarto Fig.3, but shows one of the interfering m-eninstead of a ballcarrying man.

Referring furtherto the drawings, the game or the field therefore is laid out on a. board 1 which may be of any convenient size and character, preferably adapted for ready portability or for placing upon the lap or on a' table or it may be the top of a table. This board is marked with alternate dark and light colored squares 2 and 3 respectively in checker-board fashion, with thirteen spaces in one direction, parallel with the lineup of the men, and eleven spaces in the other or transverse direction, the board being somewhat oblong to correspond with this layout. The thirteen spaces on each of the long sides include seven dark squares and six light squares, the three middle, dark squares constituting the goal. These goal. squaresare further indicated by the bracket 4'- which connects the goal posts 5 indicated at the right and left of the goal squares.

Each end row of spaces extending crosswise of the board in the direction of opposition or play includes six dark spaces 2 and five light spaces 3. The interior of the field is blocked in with squares 2 and 3 accordingly.

By this arrangement the middle lengthwise row of seven light spaces and six dark spaces constitutes the midfield line, commonly called the fifty yard line, opposite which the two contending teams A and B are lined up on the next adjacent rows of dark spaces. ,For convenience in play and to clarify'the description this midfield line may be indicated by the line 6.

The two teams A and B are represented by dark and light colors respectively and. each team includes a ball carrier or fullback 7 and ten plain men or interferers 8.

When ready to start the game both teams are set in position. The line men are disposed opposite the center line 6, the ballcarryingman 7 occupies the middle goal squareand two plain men occupy the other two goal squares. The eleventh man occupies the dark square in front of the middle goal square. This is all shown on Fig. 1-.

With the teams thus symmetrically arranged, the kickoif or first move is in order. This, under the rules which I have devised, is always accordedto the player having the dark men, the teams being exchanged after each game, and a series of games being played to determine a contest of skill.

The first movehaving been made, the

game proceeds step-by-step, largely as in checkers or chess, but in accordance with the rules and directions now to be explained;

through or to his opponents goal, that is, I

to one of the dark spaces between the goal posts 5. He must guard against being captured by any ofthe opposing men and he must also guard his own goal.

All other men on his team, namely the interferers, shall move diagonally eitherj right or left, forward or backward, one square only at a time, except when capturing-men of the opposing team, on which 00- casions they may jump as many opponents as are in position tobe jumped under the principles observed in checkers. These interferers may jump men backward as well as forward, They may play either defensive or offensive and capture the opponents men, including his fullback, if they can by jumping over them, as in checkers, and they shall guard their own fullback and goal. It is required that all opportunities to jump must be availed of and, moreover, "seesaw plays are not allowed.

The game may be won in either of two ways, namely, when the fullback makes a touchdown by carrying the ball between the opponents goal posts, or by capturing the opponents fullback.

For the purpose of matched games, an even number of games must be played, and lots must first be cast for choice of team color at the commencement of the match.

Then each player must play successive games alternately with the distinctive colors respectively, as for example with black and white men.

In view of the foregoing, this is manifestly a game of strategy, science and skill and a game which is not only fascinating and exciting, but educational. Although based in broad general background upon the fundamental principles of the two great intellectual games of the world, checkers and chess, it affords a distinctly new opening for play, as modified by the characteristics of football which have been introduced. It also affords desirable practice in mental agility, as well as a test of skill free from the elements of chance. It is a game adapted to appeal to the interest of all devotees of chess, checkers, football and even crossword puzzles, and is well within the range of interest and playing ability of all people who are at all interested in games of any sort.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown mav be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims:

I claim: I

1. A- game device comprising a checkered planar field, in combination with two teams of eleven pawns each, said field being rectangular and comprising one hundred and forty-three check-spaces extending eleven deep in a forward direction and thir-" teen deep from left to right, and alternately arranged respecting two characteristics by which adjacent spaces are distinguished, whereby provision is made for lining up the teams initially in mutually symmetrical formation, in spaces of like characteristics, each with seven pawns in front adjacent to the mid-field line, three in the middle part of the rearmost line and the eleventh pawn midway between the front and rear pawns.

2. A toy imitation football game device comprising a checkered planar field, in combination with two teams of eleven pawn-men each, said field being rectangular and comprising one hundred and fortythree check-spaces extending eleven deep in a. forward direction and thirteen deep from left to right, and alternately arranged respecting two characteristics by which adjacent spaces are distinguished, whereby provision is made for a mid-field line and for two goal lines and accommodation ishad for lining up the said teams initially in mutually symmetrical formation on like spaces, each with seven men filling in the corresponding front line of spaces adjacent to the mid-field line of spaces, three in the middle part of the rearmost line of spaces and the eleventh man midway between the front and rear men.

Signed at Chicago this 9th day of January, 1926,

GEORGE B. BOSCO. 

